Bent Over

“Alright, Wayne—bend forward like you’re checking your toenails,” Dale said. “Lean left… look natural.”

Wayne folded down, glancing back as far as he could. “How’s this?… ready for my close-up?”

“Almost,” Dale said, adjusting the lens.

Wayne settled deeper, a little unsteady. “Don’t let me pass out on you.”

Dale raised the camera. “You’re fine… ready as you’ll ever be.”

Image 1 - Wayne Gentry

The “bent over” pose—cousin to the classic “bulldog” position on hands and knees—shows up again and again in vintage physique photography, and I’ve always had a soft spot for it. On one level it’s incredibly simple: strong legs, solid glutes, the male body folded into a rounded 3-D form. From this angle, the body’s most sensitive pelvic regions come fully into view—one framed above between symmetrical rounded spheres, the others hanging below like the weighted clapper of a bell or the slow swing of a hypnotist's pocket watch. There’s something almost mesmerizing about it's strangely vulnerable, sublimely seductive, and undeniable lighthearted "cheekiness" (pun intended) of these photos.

Image 2 - Franco Abruzzi (showering in jock strap)

Image 3 - Unknown Model (on pink sheets and mattress)

Image 4 - Juan Cruz (gathering his clothes)

Image 5 - Jim Young aka Earl Dean (in yoga pose)

Image 6 - Cole Faulkner (in leather jacket)

Image 7 - Will Garret (pulling up his sock)

Image 8 - Gypsi Kitchen (with helmut, boots, and jack hammer)

Image 9 - Tex Wayne (in boots and big smile)

Image 10 - Chuck Weltch (the bull ball AMG legend)

Comments?

Please help ID image 3 and fill me in on any history on these models.  I'm also open to ideas for future posts.